SBockrath

Playing with my guy ...

I bought Tripp, a male Somali Cat, from a high-end breeder in the Los Angeles area as a companion for my 1 year old male Golden Retriever Jack. I took this video when Tripp first arrived and Jack was trying to figure out who this strange new animal was doing in his house. I love the look in Jack's eyes and that Tripp just kept purring, unafraid of Jack as he was being scrutinized. The breeder had done a great job with Tripp. He was completely socialized when I got him, entirely comfortable with his new human and cautious but unafraid of new animals. They quickly became fast friends ...

Chato is demanding attention so I give him some ... he's funny.

Chica was SO cool with Bo

Tripp is a kitten, playing with a toy ... Jack and I join in.

I took Jack on walks around the church across the street from our house thousands of times in our 13 years together. It never got old for either of us.

I loved my dog and he liked it that way ...

INFLATION ... (interesting)

Chica has been with us for over a week now and she is feeling completely at home, not afraid of the tall grass anymore at all.

Chica has been with us for a couple weeks now. I finally got the grass cut. Beautiful day but Chica wants back in the house. Must be because that is where she knows her TOYS are ... Tripp escapes. He's a HOUSE cat who sometimes desperately wants outside ... he made it this time. I was distracted.

As is usual in my Samoli cat, Tripp, he's taking awhile to accustom himself with the new guest. Usually with people Tripp disappears himself, he is NOT a social animal. With Chica, my brand new Havanese puppy, Tripp sticks around and curiously explores who this new animal is. Later Tripp and Chica became the best of friends. Chica had that way with anyone, everyone she met ...

Chica's first day with us continued, she and Jack were OK, Jack had excepted her. Tripp the cat was not so easy to make friends with ... BUT undaunted, Chica kept trying. I mentioned she was an only child and grew up as adults were her only companions, her only playmates. She was entirely comfortable as a result with adults, animal or human. She was charming, unafraid, curious and playful with all she ever met ... without exception. I took her to puppy training at my local PetsSmart ... she was the hit of the class. funny thing, she was SO small and with her black and white markings most couldn't figure what kind of animal she was. I had more than one ask if she was a pet skunk.

This is a few days after Chica arrived at her new home. She's been accepted by Jack and Tripp and now they play, fight over the toys and enjoy my attention, play hard while I take their pictures. Dogs seem to understand that with a camera in my hand they become the center of my attention and they come alive with boundless energy and joy ... seems to happen every time, even today with Chato as Jack's playmate instead of Chica.

The grass hadn't been cut in a very long time but that didn't deter Chica from coming to join me and Jack in the weeds ...

I had just gotten home from picking up Chica from the breeder. This is a video of our first hour together. She met Jack, my golden retriever, and Tripp, my Somali cat. Chica was an only child, she had no brothers or sisters to play and grow up with. Her companions were her mother and the breeder. Her father lived at the breeders BUT he didn't much like Chica from what I heard and they didn't share much time together. I met Chica 5 weeks after she was born. I had named her and repeatedly called her by name as we visited, as I caressed her and rubbed my cheek against her body. The breeder used that name for Chica the last few weeks they spent together. As you see in the video she responds to her name and she recognizes me, is completely happy and comfortable, seems bonded to me already. She was. She knew me when I saw her again and we remade our connection immediately. Chica had my heart ... still does. I miss her. The vet recommended an early spay. I didn't consult the breeder, trusted the vet. It cost Chica her life. The anesthetic killed her. The first and only time (so far) in my life I have felt profound grief. It has taken me a LONG time to recover from that, writing about it now brings some of it back. I'll be posting more videos of Chica ... she was special.

Hydrated and ready to rumble

I've had a few false alarms with Jack the last few years. Last week Sunday I thought Jack was on his deathbed. I took him to the vet Monday expecting I had said my last goodbyes. The vet owns Goldens. He said Jack's symptoms were typical of a 12 1/2 years old Golden, struggling with his old-age pain. He gave me some pain medication and said they'd call to see how Jack was doing a few days later. Jack, with his eyes, had told me he was 100% there so ... the ONLY reason I had to put him to sleep was saving him from suffering. The pain medication fixed that. He's no puppy BUT he's no invalid, crying out in pain, either. The pills gave him back his appetite, his desire for a walk, his energy and, as in the video, his fun at a romp with Chato. Seven days ago he couldn't lift his head. Jack could barely walk (once I picked him up and put him on his feet) TODAY, a week later, he's almost back to normal. I have my Jack and my Jack has me ... for a while longer.

Late at night and Jack came over to 'visit' because he knew I had a bowl of bunnies and he loves bunnies. I have to dig through my preferred mix of bunnies to pick out only the honey bunnies for Jack (and Chato). The vet's pain medication Jack's been taking the last few days have him almost back to normal ... I'm grateful. I thought I'd lost him a week ago. I LOVE that dog!

Bo always enjoyed my attentions. He had an independent, spirited personality, completely different from Tripp. Both were of the breed Somali but opposites in disposition. Bo insisted on being an outside cat. He'd hide and bolt through the door when I let the dogs out. Chasing him was fruitless, he'd stay JUST out of reach. I gave up. I knew his life would be shortened but he was a satisfied cat to the day he never showed up again. Bo had an IMMENSE personality. He was a wonderful companion animal.

Years ago I would take Jack on long walks AND short ones around the church property across the street. This is one of those.

I stripped Chato of all his excess fur, gave him a good bath and he became VERY happy.

I've owned two Havanese dogs, Chica and Lena. Chica, my baby Havanese was the picture of health and boundless energy. Chica passed very early in her life, died being spayed from the anesthesia. And the first time I have ever felt grief ... Lena was Chica's half sister, they had the same father. Lena is in a video playing with Bo in this collection. I gave 4 year old Lena to a friend whose 4 year old daughter had formed an attachment. They were wonderful together. The Havanese is a spectacular breed. Intelligent (used as circus dogs back in the day), sturdy, belying their size, long lived, hypoallergenic, do not shed plus tremendously charming and playful. The PERFECT toy breed.

I thought I was close to losing Jack. I took him to the vet the next day. He got a pain pill and is doing better.

Lena insisted on playing roughhouse with Bo. Bo wasn't interested.

Chato needs his energy released, he's in his prime. Bulldogs aren't very athletic and need little exercise so a little goes a long way. Jack is OLD, nearing the end of his life but Chato keeps him motivated for play. They make a good pair.